The Prime Minister is leading a delegation of more than 70 to the Pacific as part of a four-day flag waving exercise.
John Key, who spent much of his working life in Asia and Europe, says he is taking charge because it is a part of the world that he does not know well.
The whistle-stop trip will take the delegation of Tonga, Samoa, Niue and the Cook Islands, the three countries Key says he has never been to.
He says it is a relationship building exercise which is usually led by the Foreign Minister.
On Tuesday, he will be in Tonga where he will meet leaders including the King, whose lavish coronation was just over a year ago.
King George is an unusual, Sandhurst-educated character who likes to wear military uniforms, medals, a monocle, pith helmets and whose official car is a London cab.
